Tebogo explains 19.87-second secret after Diamond League win in Lausanne

Letsile Tebogo won the 200m at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne in 19.87 seconds, finishing ahead of South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile in 19.98. Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba took third in 20.14 as the Olympic champion produced the fastest time in the race.

Tebogo said his main objective was not simply to chase the final winning time. He concentrated on attacking the bend and the opening stages, with particular attention on how quickly he could cover the first 150m.

The Botswana sprinter viewed that section as a test of his physical condition after the demanding early part of the race. He wanted to understand how his body was responding before attempting to link that speed to a stronger finish over the full distance.

His Lausanne performance therefore formed part of a measured build-up rather than a completed assessment of his 200m potential. Tebogo believes the next step is to carry the pace he showed over the opening 150m through to the line in his coming races.

The Swiss meeting also holds a special place for Tebogo. He has competed in Lausanne regularly for four years and said his repeated visits have made him feel closely connected to the city. He praised the atmosphere and his relationship with the local supporters, even joking that he should be given a small piece of land there so he could settle in and inspire people in Switzerland.

Tebogo acknowledged that sustaining concentration becomes difficult during a long season. His focus for the remaining races is to enjoy the final part of the campaign and avoid allowing the pressure of competition to overshadow the experience. He said the work done in training only becomes visible in a small part on the track, making it important to embrace the process as he continues to improve.